Aeration is coming

This week we finished up spraying the golf course for weeds and applying the crabgrass preventer.  All of the cart paths have been edged and a good portion of the mulch is complete on the golf course.  

We are now starting to prepare for aeration.  We completed the process on the nursery green behind 13 and it went well. The process is aerating the green, removing the cores, applying sand, applying fertilizer and then brushing it all in the holes. Lastly, we will roll the green.  

We will keep the mowers off of the greens for the first week.  The following week we will start the mowing process and will keep at it until the greens are healed.  They should be good after two weeks and great again after three, weather permitting. 

Spring is almost here

Spring has finally peeked its head out from under the snow blanket!  

It is great to be out doing golf course work again. 

We have started mowing greens again on a regular basis with the walking greens mowers and they are getting their color back after a brutally cold winter.  Nutrient applications are also being made to improve the soil chemistry in the greens mix. This will allow the plants to better withstand stress.  You will notice fertilizer particles on the putting surfaces that can be a little inconvenient at times, but they are essential to getting the greens ready for the summer. 

These nutrients will combat stress from traffic and heat to give the turf the best chance for survival when the heat sets in.  We are also getting out the pre-emergent for summer weeds, crabgrass in particular.  We are spraying it on the bermuda areas along with a weed killer to clean up the winter weeds.  The fescue grass areas in the tree lines are being fertilized with a product that also contains the pre-emergent. 

 Ball washer restoration is almost complete and they should all re-installed by the beginning of next week. Mulching and cleaning up the flower bed areas continue. The Clubhouse and road areas are almost done, and then we will move to the golf course.  Time to get out there and play some golf!!

Welcome Rob Wilmans!

Rob Wilmans joined us at the end of January 2015 as the new Greens Superintendent for James River Country Club! Rob grew up in Northern Virginia, and attended college at Villanova University. He achieved his Bachelor's Degree here before going back to school. Rob then attended Virginia Tech to get his Associate Degree in Turf and Landscape Management. After graduation, he worked on different golf courses before being offered Assistant Superintendent at Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club in Portsmouth, VA in 1995. In 1996, he moved up to the Superintendent position where he stayed until arriving at James River Country Club. Rob currently lives in Chesapeake, and has been married to his wife Jamie for two years.

Here is an update from Rob after this first month with us.

I have been on property for just over a month now, and unfortunately have been under snow for over two weeks of it!

Prior to the snow the staff did a great job of getting the leaves off the course and getting all of the beds pruned and ready for mulch.  The clubhouse front entrance has already been mulched and looks great!

Since we have had a lot of time indoors, we have been working on improving the maintenance building. "Small" things like painting and adding blinds goes a long way! Along with that, we have been clearing out trash, organizing items, and purchasing any tools/ items we will need for this coming spring. The staff has also been refurbishing course accessories such as ball washers and benches.  

Also new the James River staff is Ruby, my American Bulldog puppy. She will be assisting in goose abatement once she gets older. Last but not least, I want to thank the membership for trusting me with your course. I look forward to fantastic season!